MLS Fantasy Review Round 14 (Part 2)

Seattle Sounders 0 vs. Sporting Kansas City 1

Highlights

Well….. I’ll keep this short since I’m a Sounders fan and run the risk of ranting for 5 pages. This game was some BS from the offside call on Neagle to the penalty on Seattle. The Sounders were missing their two star players among others and still deserved to beat SKC.

Fantasy Standouts

Sounders Defense: still remains arguably the best in the league. Frei is leading in fantasy points and for a good reason. These guys should be on your radar, expect clean sheets.

Benny Feilhaber ($10.1): With a number of players missing for SKC it was up to Benny to get it going. He wasn’t as active given a strong defensive showing for Seattle, but also was missing key parts of his usual offense. Regardless, he was the one who put the PK away and continues to be absolute money for fantasy owners.

Fantasy Letdowns

Not much to say here with two teams missing a lot of players.

Chicago Fire 2 vs. Orlando City 3

Highlights

The Chicago Fire attack showed up during this DGW, however, there defense didn’t. In this case Adailton showed up a bit too much. The Fire looked strong to start with a goal by Igboananike and despite the lesser of the possession were getting the better of the chances. Going into the half an own goal by Adailton helped slow the Fire’s momentum. Nevertheless, David Accam, who lit it up this week, restored the lead and kept the attack alive. Larin, who started on the bench, got the attack going with an absolute rip from distance and Adailton would get the game winning goal, but for Orlando.

Fantasy Standouts

David Accam ($8.7): He’s going away on international duty with Ghana, but when he comes back he’s earned a spot on my team. He was a nightmare for the opposing defenses in both games last week and looks to only get better. The offense is far far far better with this man on the field.

Kennedy Igboananike ($7.8): Igbo is also a great option on this fire team. His price is low and he should be the starting forward up top for the Fire. He looked to be rounding into good form before this DGW and building chemistry with Maloney. His goal this week was no fluke either, and although he benefits from Accam’s presence I can see him creating plenty on his own.

Cyle Larin ($5.9): Many people were caught off-guard when they saw Larin on the bench, and may have even subbed him out in favor of someone starting. Well if you did that, like myself, you would’ve been disappointed. Larin showed why he was the No. 1 overall pick and why he’s going to be Orlando’s starting forward and making an impact on the score sheet.

Fantasy Letdowns

Jeff Larentowicz ($8.0) and the Fire Defense: Larentowicz looked to get off to a great week with a PK that is normally easy for him. He would only spiral downward from there as he was also unable to secure a shutout in either game and end his DGW with just 4 points. The defense on the other hand was looking good prior to this week, but has me worrying. Adailton had two own goals and Sean Johnson didn’t start either game. With Joevin Jones away on Int’l duty I think it best to stay away from the Fire defense from now, apart from budget options like Polster ($4.8).

Kaka ($11.7): Kaka is way too expensive and way over hyped. Sure you could argue he’s just missing the right pieces, but regardless he’s missing something and should not be relied upon. Furthermore, he’s owned by over 20% of fantasy owners making him a no brainer to drop in my book. He hasn’t been producing much despite 2 good games prior. For that money he should have big game potential and he doesn’t, for now.

Vancouver Whitecaps 1 vs. Los Angeles Galaxy 0

Highlights

This was a bit of a snooze fest to be honest. The Galaxy dominated possession, but lacked the killer instinct, despite having Keane back. I can’t help but think the absence of Zardes and Villarreal is taking a toll on this offense. Meanwhile, the Whitecaps offense wasn’t able to do much either, with Kekutah Manneh being the difference maker putting the one shot on goal for the Whitecaps away. Oh did I mention that LA didn’t even have a single shot on target…

Fantasy Standouts

Kekutah Manneh ($7.2): Manneh showed well against LA, and it’s no secret he has the ability to be a top option with his pace. He offers a cheaper option into the Vancouver attack and could pick up the slack for Rivero.

Whitecaps Defense: Regardless of whether or not LA was missing some key players, to hold a team to 8 shots and 0 on goal when they have Keane on the field is a good performance. If the attack picks it up for the Whitecaps the defense will be a good option for BPs and clean sheets.

Gyasi Zardes ($9.6): He didn’t play in this game, but should be considered for rosters coming up. With Keane going off again to Ireland and Zardes scoring his first goal for the US while away I expect him to turn around his club form.

Fantasy Letdowns

Robbie Keane ($11.0): When you play as passionately as Keane and perform as well as he does, you expect more from him. He may agree or he may be incredibly frustrated with his teammates around him instead. Regardless, not a desirable performance from an usual fantasy threat.

New England Revolution 0 vs. Portland Timbers 2

Highlights

The Timbers may not have scored until the 86th minute, but they deserved this win. They were outplaying the Revs and kept them to 4 shots and 1 on target. Even missing Agudelo the Revs had no excuse for this performance. Largely regarded as having one of the deepest benches in the league the Revs had no answer for Adi’s late game brace. This raises questions for the Revs offense going forward and draws attention to the Timbers with Adi and Nagbe performing very well.

Fantasy Standouts

Fanendo Adi ($9.5): I bet he’s starting after this performance. He came on as a sub, got an attacking bonus and scored two goals. Timbers look hungry and I bet Adi gets more goals, especially with Adi looking more dangerous than he has all season.

Jorge Villafana ($6.2): He’s cheap, serves a great ball into the box, and takes corners. definitely worth a look for teams if nothing more than a good sub option on the bench.

Fantasy Letdowns

New England Revolution: This was one of their worst performances all season. The talent is obviously there and the Timbers did play a very good game, so I won’t go and bad mouth the Revs right now, but they have to turn it around in their next game. Safe to keep some of your players from the Revs if you like them, but not a horrible idea to drop them either.

Colorado Rapids 0 vs. Real Salt Lake 0

Highlights

The Rapids needed to win this and gain on the teams higher up the table and had the chance through a Dillon Powers PK, but the kid couldn’t convert and the game ended 0-0. There was no shortage of shots however with each side having 16 shots, but only 1 on target. I still am gonna chalk this performance for the Rapids up to a lack of chemistry still and also they really should’ve won it. Real Salt Lake on the other hand are a bit more worrisome. Morales can’t seem to spark the attack and Luis Gil, after failing to fill Morales’ role, played this one on the bench. Not much to positive to take away from this game.

Fantasy Standouts

Axel Sjoberg ($4.8): Sjoberg had a great game racking up a couple of BPs and helping the Rapids secure a shutout. The fact that he’s dirt cheap also helps.

let’s be honest, the positives were in low supply this game…

Fantasy Letdowns

Dillon Powers ($7.8): He’s just not had a good 3 game stretch. The PK miss is also very worrisome for his fantasy value, meaning he may lose the PK taking role. I like the look the Rapids have now and think they’re going in a positive direction, but Powers doesn’t warrant a start right now.

San Jose Earthquakes 0 vs. FC Dallas 0

Highlights

Well this was a weird soccer sunday. SJ and Dallas had the second 0-0 game and mirrored each others offensive production with 10 shots a piece as well as relatively even possession. Oh and then there was the 3 red cards given out. While the game wasn’t going anywhere in early parts of the game, the red cards absolutely ruined this game. There were interesting stories to follow like Mark Sherrod’s return from injury, however he was involved in the red card debacle and could still appear this week if the appeal is successful. Basically, this game was just like the RSL vs. Rapids game in that there were few positives.

Fantasy Standouts

Mark Sherrod ($5.6): I know this is a weird guy to have on the standouts given his -2 score and red card. However, just the fact that he started is enough to put him here. Sherrod could become the SJ’s missing link to the offense and at his current price he could well be worth a stash on the bench.

Walker Zimmerman ($5.5): He’s a cheap starting defender for a team that should be getting better results.

Fantasy Letdowns

Offense: Can you imagine watching RSL vs. Colorado and being bummed about the lack of goals. You then get excited, because of the potential the FC Dallas’ attack has. You start thinking about Fabian Castillo going on a long run and torching a couple defenders… and then you watch this game and are sorely sorely disappointed. The Quakes’ offense has been suspect and is trying to work some things out, but FC Dallas needs to do better, especially with the options they have.

That’s the breakdown for the first half of Round 10. What do you think? Did any players jump out at you who you think deserve to be highlighted? Mention them in the comments below, or send me or Tyler a Tweet and let us know. Also, don’t forget to get involved with the get community her at MLS Fantasy Boss and over at /r/FantasyMLS.

Seattle Sounders 0 vs. Sporting Kansas City 1 Highlights Well..... I'll keep this short since I'm a Sounders fan and run the risk of ranting for 5 pages. This game was some BS from the offside call on Neagle to the penalty on Seattle. The Sounders were missing their two star players among others and still deserved to beat SKC. Fantasy Standouts Sounders Defense: still remains arguably the best in the league. Frei is leading in fantasy points and for a good reason. These guys should be on your radar, expect clean sheets. Benny Feilhaber ($10.1): With a number of…

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